For the first time, the EU Europe Ministers discussed a switch from the existing unanimity to majority voting on sensitive foreign policy issues.
Everyone was in favour, except for one national representative. Just last week, the EU governments tried in vain to agree on a UN human rights observer in Russia. It should document the latent intimidation of critical voices and opposition groups. But one country was against it: Hungary. The Hungarian representative obstructed a unanimous decision. A few days later, Hungary’s Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, also made it clear that his country would not support any further EU sanctions against Russia. This means that the entire EU is barred from imposing new sanctions.
Foreign policy decisions currently require unanimity in the Union. Since very often a single country uses its veto, the community often acts sluggishly or inhibited on international issues. But that could change in the medium term – not least because of the Hungarian vetoes. On Tuesday, the Europe Ministers discussed for the first time a switch to majority decisions.